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WWE’s Plans For CM Punk May Have Been Already Leaked

By Monika Thapa • Published May 25, 2026 06:01 EDT
CM Punk WWE Stare
CM Punk On WWE Raw - Image via WWE.com

It was recently revealed that CM Punk’s WWE absence was not related to an injury or backstage dispute, but simply a “scheduled change.” Now that the air has been cleared regarding Punk’s hiatus, more information about his near-future WWE plans has surfaced.

Punk was last seen on the April 20 episode of WWE Raw after WrestleMania 42, where he had an in-ring segment with Cody Rhodes. During his conversation with The American Nightmare, he teased going after Cody’s Undisputed WWE Championship.

After that night, Punk went on hiatus from WWE and was later removed from the Monday Night Raw promotional material for June 2026. WWE also pulled him from the upcoming European summer tour, which led fans to question his absence even more.

False Finish recently released a report clarifying that CM Punk is absent from WWE because he is waiting for a creative call to make his return.

WWE recently made major changes following WrestleMania 42, shifting Jacob Fatu from SmackDown to Raw and Gunther from Raw to SmackDown. As a result, WWE’s immediate plans for Punk were reportedly put on hold.

“CM Punk being absent from TV is due to a ‘schedule change’. Sources tell False Finish that CM Punk is currently awaiting creative to return to WWE TV. Punk’s schedule and creative were shifted after WWE made the decision to move Gunther to SmackDown along with bringing Jacob Fatu to RAW to feud with Roman Reigns.”

WWE Is Reportedly Planning CM Punk vs. Cody Rhodes

A curious fan on X asked False Finish whether WWE plans to keep Punk on Monday Night Raw or move him to Friday Night SmackDown after bringing him back.

Cory Hays of False Finish replied to the question, saying that WWE’s long-term idea is to have Cody Rhodes vs. CM Punk happen in the near future, which means Punk could potentially be moved to SmackDown.

“The working plan at some point is Cody vs Punk,” tweeted Cory.

Cody Rhodes is currently in a heated rivalry with Gunther. He is set to put his Undisputed WWE Championship on the line against The Ring General at Clash in Italy on May 30.

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